The
Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W
SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps. The
bell AH-1Z is multi-mission attack helicopter. The powerful AH-1Z delivers
state of the art dynamics, weapons and avionics to incorporate the latest
in survivability. With anti-armor capability, it engages and defeats
the broadest array of threats at standoff ranges that defy imagination.
The AH-1Z completed sea-trial flight testing in May 2005. On 15 October
2005, the USMC, through the Naval Air Systems Command, accepted delivery
of the first AH-1Z production helicopter to enter the fleet. The AH-1Z
and UH-1Y completed their developmental testing in early 2006.[20] During
the first quarter of 2006 the aircraft were transferred to the Operational
Test Unit at the NAS Patuxent River, where they began operational evaluation
(OPEVAL) testing. As part of the H-1 Upgrade Program, the AH-1Z replaces
the currently fielded AH-1W. The AH-1Z will serve a primary role in
assault support, offensive air support and air reconnaissance. The Zulu
will play a supporting role in anti-air warfare, electronic warfare,
and control of aircraft and missiles. In March 2011, Bell Company announced
that the U.S. Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra,
achieved Initial Operating Capability ahead of schedule in February.

The
AH-1Z incorporates new rotor technology with upgraded military avionics,
weapons systems, and electro-optical sensors in an integrated weapons
platform. It has improved survivability and can find targets at longer
ranges and attack them with precision weapons. The small silhouette
and shape of the AH-1Z as well as low IR reflective paint greatly contributes
to the survivability of the aircraft. The fuel system is ballistically
tolerant with built-in fire suppression and internal (integral), self-sealing,
crashworthy tanks in the weapons pylons that increase fuel capacity
for extended mission range.
The AH-1Z utilizes a combination of conventional metal aerospace construction,
as well as composite materials where applicable, to reduce cost and
weight and improve reliability and ballistic tolerance. The fuselage
consists of two main sections; the forward (cockpit) section, and the
aft (tailboom) section. The forward section includes tandem crew cockpits,
landing gear, weapon pylons, power plant and pylon assembly. The tailboom
section supports the tail group, tail skid, tail rotor, and tail rotor
drive system. The minimum design life of the Airframe is 10,000 flight
hours.

Armament

Target
Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and currently
provides the longest range, lowest jitter and highest weapons' accuracy
possible of any helicopter sight in the world. In addition, the completely
passive and automatic system scans the battlefield without emitting
trackable radar, positively identifying and tracking multiple targets
at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system. The primary
weapon system is the Hellfire missile. It is fully shipboard compatible,
and capable of operating from prepared or unprepared landing sites,
day or night.
The AH-1Z incorporates the most capable armament and fire control system
available today. The armament system is a fully integrated platform
which consists of a 20mm turret system (3 barrel cannon), 2.75 inch
(70mm) Wrap-Around Fin Aerial Rockets; Hellfire missile system, and
the AIM-9 air-to-air missile system. The armament stores are mounted
in a variety of combinations on six external ordnance stub wing store
stations (four of which are universal). The ordnance can be guided at
night and during adverse weather by use of the Target Sighting System.
Also integrated with the armament system of the AH-1Z are the Armament
Control and Display System, Pilot and Gunner Helmet Mounted Display,
and Airborne Target Handover System.Weapons capability:• AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles
up to 16 total
• AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
• 70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods – up to 76 total
• AIM-9 Sidewinder (A superior supersonic air-to-air missile with
infrared target detection for fire and forget capability.)
• LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
• Mk 77 fire bombs
• 77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
• 20 mm cannon (With a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory
for better accuracy, it is capable of handling M50-series rounds designed
specifically for air-to-air combat)
• MK 76 practice bombs
• BDU-33D/B practice bombs
• MK 106 practice bombs

Flight
equipment

The
Zulu also incorporates modernized, fully integrated cockpits/avionics
that will reduce operator work load while improving situational awareness
while being able to carry 32% more fuel. Northrop Grumman has the responsibility
for the design, development, and delivery of the H-1 Integrated Avionics
System (IAS), which includes cockpit displays and controls, communications,
navigation, external stores and weapons management system, and a central
mission computing subsystem.The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight
and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced
cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the Top Owl HMS/D
is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service"
and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function
with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.

Propulsion

The
AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent
requirements of the USMC today – its aircraft design brings together
proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor
system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. The AH-1Z is equipped with two
General Electric T700-GE-401 series engines and greatly increased lift
capability and stores capacity, giving it a significantly greater ordnance
payload for future growth potential.
The T700 engine has an integral particle separator, a self-contained
lubrication system that uses fuel flow to cool the engine oil, and an
integral history recorder. Only ten tools are required to perform field
maintenance. With over 19 million service hours accumulated on 10,000
T700/CT7 engine variants in service, this engine is mature and has already
earned an enviable reputation for reliability. The T700-GE-401 engine
is the most fuel efficient engine in hot day, high altitude performance.